Cathy Pegau

Queen of the Frozen North. It's good to be Queen...well, Queen of my little world anyway!

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Randomness

*School has begun here in the soggy, semi-far north. Actually, it started on Aug. 23. It's nice to get back into routine, but I keep waiting for the phone to ring to be called in to sub. I have been subbing, but it's pre-arranged for the most part. Always a chance of a surprise at 7AM.

*Waiting on the cover for Caught in Amber, my science fiction romance coming out from Carina Press in January. Got the copy blurb, which is fantastic. Still, seeing a cover for the first time is a particular thrill. Can't wait. And yes, I will share once I get the okey-dokey from TPTB.

*The third book, Deep Deception, will be out in May. Woo hoo! Just finished the art fact sheet on that one. Another cover to giddily await.

*Meanwhile, I'm working on two other books. One is about shape shifters in Alaska. The other is a paranormal western, sort of, about two female demon hunters. Love them both, but struggles with plot and pacing on one are making me a tad twitchy. Hopefully my lovely crit partners/beta readers will see where I'm going astray.

*After a harsh winter, we were hoping for a nice summer but no. I can count on one and a half hands how many actually sunny days we had. Not all were rainy, but there was lot of cool, gray weather. *sigh* Here's hoping for a better winter this time.

*I'll have a few friends with books doing promo stuff here in the months to come. Can't wait to share!

*I want a cookie (Hey, the title of the post is random. I wasn't kidding ; )

*We have to REALLY start thinking about colleges and college prep for DD1. So much more competition out there for spots in schools and for financial aid.

Monday, August 27, 2012

The Value of "Women's Work"--Ruth Diaz on Super Women

(excerpt fromThe Superheroes Union: Dynama)

“Why do you think I decided to work with children?” The smile spread across her whole face. “Everybody thinks it’s easy, like it was a gimme degree and anybody could take care of kids. They’re wrong. Some people are really bad at it, and some people just don’t care enough. A lot of supers just have too much on their minds. They get lost in the crisis and forget about what’s really important. So yeah, I may be twenty-seven and still living with my roommates from when we were all undergrads, but I love what I do.”

“Good for you,” TJ said softly. She cleared her throat, trying not to go all awkward in the face of that confession. “Me too. I was the kid that was always a crusader in search of a crusade, and I went into the Foreign Service. Probably do more saving the world in my day job than I ever will as a superhero.”

Annmarie shrugged and toyed with the stem of her wine glass. “The world needs both.”

***

When I began working on The Superheroes Union: Dynama, I knew I was writing a love story and I knew I was writing comic-book suspense. I didn't expect the strong feminist undercurrent running through the book. But with TJ and Annmarie being who they are, I couldn't have written a story that felt true for them without it.

It's not that it revolves around feminist philosophy. But TJ is a superhero and Annmarie is a childcare worker, so questions of work and worth keep coming up for them. TJ is trying to save the world, both in her day job and as a superhero, and she's hampered by centuries of Western culture influencing the people around her to believe that as a woman, she can't do that. Being a woman and a Latina are both central to her identity, and she constantly has to prove that her work is as valuable as that of a man doing the same job.

Even superheroes have some bigots and idiots amongst them.

As a childcare worker, Annmarie has the opposite struggle. Because the work she does is historically considered "women's work," it is traditionally undervalued. At one point, TJ observes something Annmarie is doing and thinks to herself that "it's like having a wife"--not to devalue what Annmarie does, but in appreciation of the level of hard work that goes into taking care of TJ's rambunctious seven-year-old twins.

When you're reading, do you ever find yourself noticing the type of struggles a heroine has simply because she's a woman? And if you do, is it something you appreciate, or just one more element in a well-written story?

What if your evil ex really was evil?

TJ Gutierrez used to be a superhero. But after the birth of her twins seven years ago, she hung up the yellow spandex. Until the day her archenemy and ex-husband, Singularity, breaks out of prison. When it becomes clear he’s after the kids, she’s forced to call the nanny helpline—and once again become...Dynama!

Annmarie Smith doesn’t have a superpower. She saves the world by keeping kids safe while their parents fight evil. She temporarily moves in with TJ, and the way the magnetic mama puts family first captures Annmarie’s respect, and maybe her heart—even though she knows better than to fall for a superhero. Still, it’s hard to resist their wicked chemistry. Kapow!

But they can only hide from the world for so long. When Singularity’s quest for custody puts the kids’ lives in danger, can the two women conquer the evil villain and save TJ’s family—all before their first date?

I’ve received great feedback from readers. No, not all of it was “OMG! This book rocked!” And that’s all right. I need to know what works and what doesn’t so I can make future books better. So thank you ALL for your comments and reviews.

Rulebreaker’s actual birth/conception (ie: first words on paper or into computer) took place long before last August. Perusing old files, I found the original bits that dated back to 2008, a full manuscript dated late 2009, and the full I’d sent to Carina after getting picked up in a pitch contest in May 2010. But it didn’t stop there. Rulebreaker went through a few changes, including the title. It saw the red pens—or rather, the red of Track Changes—of two critique partners and a couple of beta readers. Two different editors worked on it with me. There was a cover that wasn’t really the cover that had to be straightened out. For the record, I loved both versions. Carina covers rock!

So now, over three years later, Rulebreaker is out there. I have two more books in the works with Carina Press. Other stories are in various stages of development. I’m busy writing and researching, falling in love with new characters and trying to keep some of the plot bunnies wrangled for later dates. Life is good and I couldn’t be happier. And I have many people to thank for that. So thank you!

To celebrate, I’m having a giveaway. A digital copy of Rulebreaker and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or B&N or wherever. There may be another surprise prize, if the stars align themselves. I'll keep you posted.

EDITED TO ADD: I just received actual print copies of Rulebreaker that were not needed for the Ritas. So there will be more than one prize winner. Ebook or print copy plus the GC for the first person chosen. Ebook or print for a second lucky duck. Comment away, people!!!! Oh, and funny thing, the cover of the print book is not the same as the ebook. Heh!

What do you have to do? Comment on this post. Ask me about my writing process. Tell me if you’ve read the book and what you liked or didn’t like. Ask me about living in Alaska. Whatever. I’ll do a random drawing on Sunday, August 12. Also, can you answer this question: What was Rulebreaker’s original title? No, you don’t have to answer correctly to win anything. I just want to see who’s paying attention : ) BTW, my CP’s cannot answer this one!

ETD, Part 2: We have winners! Helgagrace won a print copy of Rulebreaker and asked for an iTunes gift card. Taryn Rose won an ebook copy of Rulebreaker. Thanks for commenting everyone!!!

Oh, and the original title for Rulebreaker was....Hmmm...I think I'll save that for another time ; )

Monday, July 30, 2012

Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Colonization by Aubrie Dionne

I'm honored to be part of Aubrie Dionne's cover reveal tour for her release Colonization: Paradise 21, a sci fi YA book coming from Inkspell Publishing as an ebook and in print this October. Isn't it lovely!

Finding a new home has never been so dangerous.

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.

But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius's ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to protect her new home. What she didn't expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love?

Author Bio:Aubrie Dionne writes science fiction fantasy with romantic elements. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She’s also a professional flutist in New England.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The F in the Middle

I discovered something about myself on a recent vacation: I would not do well in a menage unless certain criteria were met. No, it wasn't *that* exciting a trip.

Normally when I fly, I take the aisle seat. Not only do I not have to bother people if I have to get up (and I don't mind getting up for my rowmates), but I can stick my foot into the aisle for a smidge more leg room. Well, until the service cart comes by.

Sitting in the middle between strangers--who frown upon my leaning against them should I snooze, which I rarely do--makes me tense. Sitting by the window is marginally better, but I feel trapped.

How does this relate to menage? During the implied activities I think I'd be fine no matter where I was. Too busy to care, shall we say. But afterward, when everyone settled to sleep (I'm assuming sleep goes with the menage thing) I'd need to be on the end. I can't stand being trapped under the blankets or between bodies.

No, I haven't had this experience with adults, but I have had a child crawl into bed with me and my husband. I had to scramble out of the middle to the freedom of the edge or to the couch. The idea of being sandwiched between two adults makes me twitchy. Even when it's just me and my husband I need to be able to kick the blankets off or stick a foot out from under the covers.

I don't think I'm claustrophobic. Other small placed don't bother me. Though I'm not keen on sleeping bags that are too close-fitting. Forget a mummy bag.

Should I ever get inspired for a more adventurous romantic liason, there will be a post-coital condition. I sleep on the end. If I'm with two men, I hope they like each other because a MFM will become a MMF. If it's another woman, I can only hope she isn't like me.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Happy 4th of July, Alaska-style

Okay, to be honest, other than the obligatory barbeques and drinking, July Fourth isn't the fireworks fest other places experience. Why? Because it doesn't get dark enough to see the pretty displays of pyrotechnic wonder until nearly midnight.

And yet there is a fireworks dealer down the road.

Why bother, you ask? I can guarantee there will be loud popping noises a-plenty to celebrate the 4th. Which will be either firecrackers or guns. Tough to say. But people will buy gobs of fireworks for when we CAN see the pretty. Namely, New Year's Eve and for our winter festival in February. The downside of that is it's usually too cold and/or wet to stand outside and enjoy them. We can see a few from our living room window, but not the whole show. On the plus side, we don't worry about random sparks setting fire to anything. The bonus of living in a rainforest.

So, Happy Birthday, America. We'll be celebrating in our way, but like most things, we'll be doing it just a bit different from those Outside.